Enhanced media method and apparatus for use in digital distribution system

Abstract

A method to protect the financial rights of tiered media content providers including the original media content owner and media enhancers who add enhancements as additional media information or additional media content to be presented in conjunction with the media content when chosen by user.

1. A computer-implemented method that protects the digital rights of tiered media content providers, the method implemented on at least one computerized system, said method comprising:
 providing an original media content of a media content owner using a distribution server, wherein said distribution server is accessed by a user; 
 associating a first monetary cost amount with said original media content; 
 modifying said original media content using a media enhancer that creates a modified media content on said distribution server, wherein said media enhancer modifies said original media content using any of:
 adding only said second monetary cost amount to said first monetary cost amount; 
 adding new media content to said original media content; 
 inserting new media content amongst said original media content; 
 adding media information that is used or presented in conjunction with said original media content as designated by said media enhancer; 
 adding section flags to said original media content, wherein said section flags segment said original media content into sections, wherein said media content owner creates said section flags that segments said original media content; 
 adding section information to said original media content, wherein said section information comprises media information associated with a particular section, wherein said media content owner creates said section information that segments said original media content into said sections; and 
 including ratings to said original media content that cause at least a section of said original media not to be presented; 
 
 associating a second monetary cost amount with said modified media content; 
 distributing said original media content and said modified media content to an enhanced personal video recorder (e-PVR) that is accessed by said user; 
 receiving a payment from said user, wherein said payment comprises a first payment amount equal to said first monetary cost amount and a second payment amount equal to said second monetary cost amount, wherein each of said media content owner and said media enhancer receive at least a portion of said payment; and 
 presenting said original media content on said e-PVR as a media presentation when said first payment amount is received by said media content owner; and 
 presenting said modified media content on said e-PVR as a media presentation when said second payment amount is received by said media content owner, 
 wherein said media enhancer comprises an account stored on said distribution server, wherein said media enhancer makes payments from said account to view said original media content, and wherein said account receives payments from other user accounts when other users access said modified media content that is generated by said media enhancer. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 assigning said second monetary cost amount to be equal to or less than zero; and 
 
       paying said media content owner said first monetary cost amount. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 modifying said original media content using a plurality of media enhancers that create a plurality of modified media content on said distribution server; 
 associating a plurality of additional monetary cost amounts with said plurality of modified media content; 
 said user selecting at least one of said plurality of modified media content that is included in said media presentation; and 
 providing a payment to only those media enhancers whose modified media content is selected by said user.